Graduate from Encumbrances

“Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,” Joshua 23:6

“His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. “ Proverbs 5:22

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1

   Graduation activities took place this week, referred to as the end of one part to life, and the beginning of another.  Graduation is many times seen as a door to new freedom for the graduate, no longer tied to the regular schedule of school, and for some a time to leave the nest of home.  Things that were previously undone because of time or family convictions can now be done, if chosen.  Yet this freedom needs to be accompanied by restraint for the wise.  With a freedom of choice, come the choices to waste or endanger valuable resources unnecessarily.  Some choices made in freedom, lead to snares and encumbrances more restrictive than the previous walls we run from. 

   This situation is shown over and over in the pages of scripture.  God gives man, and then His chosen people Israel, freedom to choose with a few basic restrictions.  Then we see time after time, man choosing to break the restrictions and then find sin to be deadly.  Sin brought death, disease, burdensome work, and many other consequences to the Earth, and proved to be more burdensome than the Lord’s former restrictions. 

   This is where we find many of ourselves.  In times of freedom we made ill-advised decisions ensnaring and burdening us with health problems, financial obligations, and additional responsibilities limiting the initial freedom obtained.  Some of these are even found in the church, causing worship to be forced, masks to be worn, and sins to be hidden.  All of our efforts then are tied up in producing a show, giving an impression of greatness; but really being empty and shallow. 

   Our great God did not leave Israel in their unfortunate position, and he will not leave us either.  God delivered Israel from Egypt’s bondage by Moses; then called them back from idolatry by the prophets, and finally delivered us all completely through the sacrifice of Jesus.  Hebrews (above) calls us to lay aside these traps, reentering the race.  Some things can be cast aside completely not to be picked up again.  Others we cannot be completely free from in this life, but we can change our perspectives.  While here we pick up our cross and allow our struggle to glorify God; so that when we pass on to the rest of our life our deliverance will glorify Jesus even more.  Glorify Him today!